Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2009-10: Colby Williams played for the Regina Oilers bantam team in Saskatchewan. He was selected by the Regina Pats in the fourth round (67th overall) in the 2010 WHL bantam draft.

2010-11: Williams made his WHL debut as a 15-year-old, appearing in two January games with the Regina Pats, and played for the Regina Pat Canadians midget AAA team. He was +1 with no points nor penalties in two WHL games. Williams scored 4 goals with 14 assists and 54 penalty minutes in 35 games for the Pat Canadians. Regina finished fifth in the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League, falling to the Notre Dame Argos in a quarterfinal series. Williams did not play in any playoff games.

2011-12: Williams made a cameo WHL appearance with the Pats in a February 22nd game against Kootenay and played with the Melville Millionaires in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs. He was a team captain for the SMHL’s Regina Pat Canadians and played for Canada West in the 2012 U17 World Hockey Challenge. Williams had no points with 2 penalty minutes in his only WHL game. He had no points nor penalties in six games for the Millionaires. In 43 midget AAA games for the Pat Canadians he scored 7 goals with 24 assists and 144 penalty minutes. Regina finished ninth in the SMHL, two points behind Swift Current for the final playoff spot. Williams had 1 assist with 6 penalty minutes in five games for Canada West, which finished last at the 10-team WHC. Germany defeated Canada West 6-3 in the ninth-place game.

2012-13: Williams skated in 59 games for the Regina Pats in his first WHL season. He had 19 assists and was -17 with 70 penalty minutes. The Pats finished fifth in the East Division, missing the playoffs. Williams was ranked 203rd amongst North American skaters in the Central Scouting mid-term rankings but did not make the final rankings. He was not selected in the 2013 NHL Draft in his first year of eligibility.

2013-14: Williams was one of three Regina defensemen to top 30 points as the Pats finished first in the East Division. He scored 9 goals with 23 assists and had an even plus/minus with 82 penalty minutes in 66 regular season games. Williams was -6 with no points and 8 penalty minutes in the Pats’ four-game playoff series with Brandon.

2014-15: Williams led Regina defensemen in points and penalty minutes in his third WHL season. In 64 regular season games he scored 11 goals with 30 assists and was +45 with 95 penalty minutes. The Pats finished second in the East Division and reached the second round in the playoffs. Williams shared the playoff scoring lead for the Pats with left wing Braden Christoffer — scoring 3 goals with 5 assists in nine playoff games — and had an even plus/minus with 12 penalty minutes. Not among the 210 North American skaters in the Central Scouting final rankings in his third year of draft eligibility, Williams was selected by Washington in the sixth round (173rd overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Talent Analysis

At 5’11 and 190 pounds, Williams depends on his skating and mobility to make up for his lack of size and strength. While he is not a dynamic offensive defenseman, he pushes the pace when he is carrying the puck and has shown that he can be a presence on the power play, taking on that role for Regina en route to a career-best 41 points in 2014-15. Despite his size limitations, Williams plays with an edge in his own zone and does not shy away from the one-on-one physical battles.

Future

With three full seasons under him with Regina of the WHL, Williams will try to make Hershey of the AHL but could see time in the ECHL as well. His size is certainly a hindering factor, but his offensive prowess and skating ability could see him make an early run at the AHL. He will need to work especially hard to overcome his size limitations if he hopes to make the NHL. Williams will need at least a few seasons of minor pro hockey to get accustomed to the physicality and learn to limit his strength issues. His upside is a bottom-pairing defender with good offense, though he seems more in the mold of a career minor-leaguer.

Photo: Previously an alternate, Colby Williams is serving as captain of the Regina Pats during his overage major junior season. (Courtesy of Derek Leung/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals have a talented lineup at the NHL level, with their sights set on a Stanley Cup run. To supplement that lineup, the Capitals have signed several AHL veterans who are in their late 20’s and early 30’s—both to have experienced players on hand should the need arise, and to allow affiliate Hershey to compete for a Calder Cup. Read more»

Another year, another successful regular season for the Washington Capitals. Led once again by superstar winger Alex Ovechkin, the Capitals were a little less flashy than in past years, but no less difficult to play against. They nearly got over the hump in the post season, but wound up relinquishing a 3-1 series lead to the New York Rangers. Read more»

Photo: Red Deer Rebels goaltender and Los Angeles Kings prospect Patrik Bartosak earned the CHL Goaltender of the Year award in 2012-13, and is expected to aid the Rebels’ efforts to finish atop the Eastern Conference standings this season (courtesy of Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)

Here’s a look at the Western Hockey League’s Eastern Conference heading into the 2013-14 season.

East Division

Saskatoon Blades (Last Season: 44-22-2-4; 1st in East Division)

A complete rebuild would seem accurate these days in Saskatoon as the organization enters its 50th year in the WHL. The off-season included significant change, as new ownership is now in place. In recent years, the team has traded high draft picks for veteran relief, none of which has resulted in much post-season success on the ice. Having hosted the most recent Memorial Cup tournament, it will be some time before the team threatens to earn another berth in the national championship event.